Inflatable mattress
carries man to Greece

Published: Saturday, July 24, 1999

ATHENS, Greece {AP} Authorities arrested a Turkish man Friday after he paddled from the Turkish coast to a Greek island on an inflatable mattress, local media said, amid a nationwide police crackdown on illegal immigration.

The man, who carried no documents, identified himself as Ibrahim Kaya, 24. He was arrested on the eastern Aegean island of Samos, about two miles from the Turkish coast,Hundreds of illegal immigrants sneak from Turkey to Greek islands or head over rugged passes along Greece's northeastern borders, usually traveling at night to evade coast guard and police patrols.